Data breaches frequently lead to class action lawsuits, especially when organizations fail to safeguard personal information. Companies that collect and store your private data are legally required to protect it from unauthorized access and fraudulent use. They are also prohibited from using your information without your consent. Recently, one company agreed to settle a lawsuit related to a data breach violation. You may be eligible for financial compensation—check to find out if you qualify.
Companies have a responsibility to protect your data
In an age of digitization and cybercrime, it is more important than ever that companies remain vigilant in protecting their consumers’ data. When companies collect, store, and process sensitive consumer information such as financial and identifiable information, precautions need to be put in place to ensure this data is stored securely to prevent unauthorized access.
When this information is compromised in a data breach, it can be sold on the dark web, leading to identity theft. This is a major violation of your privacy and trust, and people who experience this are often in the position to organize a class action lawsuit against a company for compensation to hold such a company accountable for their actions and ensure policies are changed so that it does not happen again.
Last chance to qualify for 23andMe data breach settlement
In 2023, DNA-tracking company 23andMe experienced a data breach whereby 14,000 accounts were used to access the ancestry data of nearly seven million individuals. The data breach included the leaking of users’ account information, location, ancestry reports, DNA matches, family names, profile pictures, and birthdates.
In January of 2024, the class action lawsuit was filed against the company, alleging that 23andMe failed to protect the data of its clients. In addition, the lawsuit alleged that the company failed to notify users that data from people with Chinese or Ashkenazi Jewish heritage seemed to have been specifically targeted in the breach. The deadline to submit a claim to be part of the settlement is July 14, 2025.
Who qualifies for the settlement?
The major data breach settlement can see approved claimers receive up to $500 for undocumented expenses and up to $1,500 for documented expenses. To be eligible for the settlement, the following criteria must be met:
- You must have been a US resident on August 11, 2023
- You must have been a 23andMe customer between May 1, 2023, and October 1, 2023
- You must have received a notice from 23andMe informing you that your data was compromised
- You incurred monetary damages or other harm as a result of the data breach
The final hearing date has yet to be announced. Until this is confirmed, class action members will not receive their payments. The lawsuit has currently been stalled due to the company filing for bankruptcy. However, it was recently announced that Regeneron Pharmaceuticals will be purchasing the company for $256 million.
“We believe we can help 23andMe deliver and build upon its mission to help those interested in learning about their own DNA and how to improve their personal health, while furthering Regeneron’s efforts to use large-scale genetics research to improve the way society treats and prevents illness overall,” says George Yancopoulos, co-founder, board co-chair, president and chief scientific officer of Regeneron.
The purchase will see the pharmaceutical company acquire 23andMe’s Personal Genome Service, Total Health and Research Services business lines, and their Biobank and associated assets. 23andMe will continue to operate all genome services. However, until the handover is settled, it is unlikely a final hearing will be scheduled or payouts will be sent to class members. For more information about this settlement, you can visit Top Class Actions and get informed about how to file a claim.